Saeed Al Maktoum House

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House is a historic building located in the Al Shindagha area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Constructed around 1896, it served as the official residence of Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, who ruled Dubai from 1912 until his death in 1958 and was the grandfather of the current ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The house is a significant monument reflecting the heritage and traditional architecture of Dubai, featuring typical Arabian design elements such as wind towers, inner courtyards, and ornately carved teak doors. Its construction utilized coral stone treated with lime and plaster, giving the building a distinctive pink hue, particularly striking at dusk.

The house has been carefully restored and converted into the Shindagha Museum, which showcases the history of Dubai and the Al Maktoum family. The museum houses numerous artifacts, including photographs, paintings, coins, stamps, jewelry, historic documents, and maps, offering visitors a glimpse into the social life, marine history, and heritage of old Dubai.

The museum is divided into nine main exhibit areas that explore the history of the house itself, the ruling family, life in Dubai before the oil boom, traditional social structures, and the city's maritime past.

Visitors can also appreciate the architecture and spatial design of the house, which reflects the strong connection between the ruling family and the citizens of Dubai through its open courtyards and the lack of barriers between the family and the public.

Situated near Dubai Creek, the house not only served as a royal residence but also witnessed important events in Dubai's development over the first half of the 20th century.

Today, it remains a popular cultural and tourist attraction, offering insight into the lifestyle of Dubai’s ruling elite before modernization and oil wealth transformed the city.

The museum’s preservation of historical artifacts and architecture provides a valuable cultural link to the past and showcases the legacy of the Al Maktoum family in shaping Dubai.